Machine and method for bending metals



I Aug. 26, 1930. o. sc cl-{ 1,774,490

CHINE AND METHOD FOR BENDING IBTALS Filed Feb. 5. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l J15 {Q52 I QT E film-m7 Aug. 26; 1930.- o. SCHACHTEL IAGHINB AND METHOD FOR BENDING I BTALS Fi1 od Feb. 5, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v v o. SCHACHTEL 4,490 CHINE ,AIID IEIHOD FOR BEIDIIG'HTLS lilod Fab. 5, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I o, 0 E30 Aug. 26, 1930.

Patented Aug. 26, 1930 OTTO SCHACl-ITEL', OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MACHINE AND riernon roe BENDING METALS Application filed February 5, 1923., Serial No. 616,958.

This invention relates to bending machines, and has for its object the production of an improved machine and method for bending strap metal or sheet metal strips either transversely or longitudinally or both. For instance, as an illustration, one purpose of the machine and method is to bend longitudinal flanges on the edges of strips of metal or to bend them into U-shaped strips, and at the same time to bend them transversely. A special object of the invention is to bend, strips which have non-parallel edges, so as to produce longitudinal flanges or strips. Other objects of'the invention will be apparent from consideration of the accompanying drawings and the following description thereof.

Of the drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation of an assembled bending machine which embodies some of the features of my invention; Fig.

2 is an elevation of the base portion of the machine; 3 illustrates a piece which hasbeen bent on the machine; Fig. 4 is anenlarged cross sectional view of the bent piece before the flanges are closed: Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 5'5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the machine; Z' is an enlarged elevation of the upper portion of the machine; Figs. 8 and 9 are horizontal sectional views along the line 88 of i in 7. showing the clamping means in two different positions; Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the upper portion of the machine: Fig. 11 is a section along the line 11.11 of Fig. 7 Fig. 12 is an enlarged edge view of one of the clamps 33 with portions in section; and Fig. 13 is'an enlarged sectional view along the line 13- 13 of Fig. 12.

general. the machine comprises a pair of rollers so formed and related as to bendlonp tudinal flanges on the edges of the strip of metal, for instance to bend them into U shaped pieces as the strips pass between the ro ,.ers. And mechanism is provided for bending the strips transversely so as to have the completed pieces not only U-shaped in cross section but curved in various ways in conformity with the particular shape desired to be produced. Animportant feature of the invention however is to operate upon strips having nonrparallel edges so as to produce tapering pieces. I

The bending portions of the machine are mounted on a frame 20, and the bending means comprise two coacting rollers 21 and Y longitudinally into the sh ape desired; and the friction between the stripand the rollers, materially increased by the roughened periphery 25, will continuously draw the strip inwardly and thelongitudinal bending will thus be carried on automatically. In this way strips can be bent into U-shape or into other shapes desired. 5

Any suitable mechanism may be provided for inserting strips between the rollers. I prefer for the purpose the following mechanism. A frame 30 is provided for the inserting mechanism and is suitably connected by means of pivots 38to the frame 20 of the machine. Fixed to this frame 30 is a bar 31 which acts as a support for the strip 32 which is to be bent. The forward end of this bar is formed into a toe 29over which the forward 35 end .of the strip isto be bent longitudinally before the end of the strip enters between the rollers, this toe being formed to the proper shape to bend the strip in the way desired. In operation the strip 32 is thrust into the CO inserting mechanism immediately above the bar 31, and passing between clamping members 33 (Figs. 8 and 9), and at the same time the rear of the frame 30 is lowered by means V of the handle'34 to the position indicated by $5 dotted lines in Fig. 7. The strip 32 is then pushed inwardly untilit strikes the flanges 40 0f a forming member 41 (Fig. 11), and the clamping members 33 are then caused to grip the strip in a manner hereinafter described. The strip 32 is held in this position against backward movement by means of a weighted lever (Fig. 7) wh' has a roughened surface 36 pressing ag1- t t; e strip 32. The frame 30 is pivoted by arms 37 and pivots 38 to the frame 20 of the. machine, and hence the rear end of the frame 30 can be raised or lowered as desired by means of the handle 34.

The strip 32 is then shoved by means hereinafter described against the flanges a0, and the forward edges of the strip are bent downwardly by these flanges d0 sufiicicntly to al low the forward end of the strip to pass a short distance between the flanges 23 of the roller 21 and along the toe 29. lVith the strip so arranged, and held in place by the gripping lever 35, the frame 80 is revolved upwardly around the pivots 38 to the horizontal position by means of the handle and this forces the toe 29 upwardly farther between the flanges 23 and causes the flanges to bend the forward end of the strip over the toe 29 to the shape desired. The strip is then forced forwardly until it is gripped between the two rollers.

In order to force the strip 32 forwardly the clamps 88 and the member f slidably mounted in the frame 80, and lever i5 is provided which is pivoted at 4:6 to the frame 30 and at 47 to the frame 58 of the slidably mounted mechanism. The gripping lever 85 however is pivoted to the frame 30 and hence prevents backward movement of the strip 32 with reference to the frame, so that the clamping mechanism hereinafter described may be moved backwardly relative to the strip 82 in order to obtain a new grip on the strip 32. The operator by pulling backwardly on the lever thus pulls the clamps 33 backwardly to obtain a new grip on the strip and then forces the lever forwardly carrying with it the strip 82. As the strip 82 is thus pressed forwardly between the members 31 and all, and also between the flanges 40 and the flanges 28 and the toe 29, the proper longitudinal bending is produced in the forward end of the strip; and this process may be repeated until the forward end of the strip passes between, and is gripped by, the two rollers. Rollers 4-2 mounted on the frame 58 hold the forming member 4t]v with flanges l0 away from the rollers.

The forming rollers are continuously opcrated and are arranged so that the surfaces which grip the strip 32 move at the same speed, this being accomplished by properly adjusting the relative sizes of the meshing gear wheels which are fixed respectively to the rollers. These gear wheels may be operated in any suitable manner, such as by means of any suitable driving mechanism fixed to the shaft 52 of the roller 21. The sprocket wheel 51 is also fixed to the shaft 52, and this wheel, by means of a chain belt,

58, operates a sprocket wheel 5 lmounted on a shaft 55 which operates mechanism hereinafter described. As soon as the rollers grip the forward end of the strip 32 the strip will be drawn inwardly thereby and bent properly longitudinally by means of the flanges 40 and the rollers in conjunction with the member 31.

The various details for carrying out these steps may be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention as disclosed by the claims here in, but I prefer for the purpose to arrange the mechanism as follows: Fixed to the frame a guide member (30 (Fig. 10), and slid- :2

ably mounted on this are members 59 and G1 and 62 (Figs. 6 and 10). These members are also all relatively slidable. The members 61 and 62 are the clamp controlling members,

and they are normally spaced apart, as indicated by the slot 63. Mounted on the respective members (31 and 62 are vertical pins 6st and 65 to which are pivoted, respectively, pairs of arms 66 and 67. These arms pass through the respective slots 68 and (39 in pins 7 0 and 71. These pins are rotatably mounted on the slidable frame To the upper ends of the respective pins 70 and 71 are fixed arms 72 and To; and also to the lower ends of the pins 70 and 71 are fixed, respectively, arms 74: and 75 (Fig. 9). Slidably mounted in the arms T-i are links 76; and the respective ends of the clamping members 33 are pivoted to the outer ends of the links 76 and the arms 75. her 61, by the pin 6 1, is a lever '1'? having one end pivoted at 78 to the frame 80. When the free arm of the lever forced forwardly, the slidable member 61 is forced forwardly and, striking the rear end of the slidable member 62, this also is carried forwardly togetherwith the pin 65. The pins 641 and 65 carry forwardly the inner ends of the arms 66 and 67 and thus cause the pins 70 and 71 to rotate and thus to force out wardly the arms 7% and 75. The arms 7% and 75 thus open the clamps 33 against the tension of the springs 80 and 81 (Fig. 6). This opening of the clamps allows the forward end of the strip 32 to be passed freely between the clamps. The arm 7? is then forced backwardly and the respective springs 80 and 81 force the clamp members 33 against the edges of the strip 82 thus holding it firmly in its proper central position in reference to the bending mechanism.

When the lever 45 is operated to force the strip still further between the rollers, as hereinabove described, the lever pulled l. wardly carryir with it the forming mom-- I" 1. ,O I. ..J. i roger fl and l c mezn :er W. Y, with the arious operating members MW; ciated with the clamps 83. These various elements are guided by the hiked members 6'3. and are moved by the members 58. The strip Also pivoted to the niem- :r

' both.

3:2, however, is prevented from moving relatively backward by the member and the bending flanges 40 bend the edges of the strip downward. The clamps 33, which are held resiliently against the edges of the strip by the springs and 81, are free to move back relatively of the strip, but the gripping mechanism of the clamps (Fig. 12) upon being move-d backwardly with reference to the strip 32,0btain a new grip on the strip which enables the strip to be forced forwardly. This gripping mechanism comprises a gripping member 7 9 which is slidably positioned in a slot 82 formed in the inner edge of each of the clamp members 33. The lower flange 84 of the slot is tapered, as indicated in Fig. 13, and the member 79 is held in place on this flange by means of a screw 85 threaded into the member 7 9 and passing through a slot 86 in the flange 84. A spring 87 tends, at all times, to pull the member 7 9 to the left, and hence upwardly, on the flange 84, and thus the spring forces the upper roughened surface of the member 7 9 firmly against the strip 32 which is being operated upon. With this arrangement the clamping members are free to move to the left with reference to the strip, but they tightly grip the strip as soon as they are moved towards the right, and hence step by step they may be operated'to force the strip forwardly until it is finally gripped by the rollers.

The clamping members 33 are arranged so as to clamp the edges of the strips which are either parallel or tapering. \Vhen the edges are tapering the links 76 slip in or out of the slots in the members 74 and allow the clamps 33 to converge or diverge towards the left according to the way in which the edges of the strip converge or diverge. hen the strip is in place and the handle 77 is pressed forwardly the clamps 33 are forcechby the springs 80 and 81, against the edges of the strip, and the rounded surfaces 89 of the clamps allow'the strip 32 to be forced into the slots 82 a sufficient distance to hold the strip in place; and when the clamps are pulled backwardly again the members 79 are held more or less from backward movement by the edges of the strip, and the edges are then at liberty tobe forced further into the slots 82, so that after one or two reciprocations of the clamps the strip edges are pressed firmly against the bottom of the slots82.

:In'order to bend the strip transversely in any desired manner, as it is being bent longitudinally'loy the rollers, it is necessary only to revolve the frame 30, with its clamping mechanism, upwardly 'or downwardly or If it is desired to bend the strip in the formof a curve with the radius of curvature continuously on one sideit is necessary only to turn the frame downwardly or upwardly as the casemay be and hold it in that position or vary the position more or less as it is desired to vary the radius of curvature. If it is desired to bend the strip so as to throw the radius of curvature first on one side and then on the other, for instance forming S-shaped members, it is necessary only to hold the frame 30 below the horizontal plane during a portion of the time and to hold it above the horizontal plane during other portions of the time according to the particular shape desired. This manipulation of the frame 30 may be carried out manually by means of the arm 34, or any suitable mechanism may be provided for carrying it out automatically. For the purpose I prefer the following mechanism.

A linlr 90 is pivoted at 91 to the frame 30 and is pivotally connected by a suitable link 92 with theframe 20 by means of a pivot 94. Rotatably mounted on a pin 95, fixed to the link 92, is a roller 96. This roller is arranged to coact with a camway 97 which is arranged to be moved forwardly or rearwardly as the machine operates. Obviously the shape'of thecamway 97 will determine the rotational movement of the frame 30 and hence will determine the transverse bending of the strip. f the frame 30 and the mechanism which it supports are not sufiiciently heavy to hold the roller down on the camway 97, the arm 34. may be used for holding the roller down, or other means may be arranged for. In this connection I prefer to have the frame .30 and its mechanism substantially balanced on the pins 38 by means of weights 100 adjusuably fixed to the respective arms'37 and hence it becomes necessary in the operation of the machine to force the frame 30 downwardly by means of the arm 3% whenever-the roller 96 is approaching a valley on the camway97. lhe best operation results when the roller is at all times held snugly down on the camway by means of the arms 34:.

Any suitable means may be used for properly moving the camway 97. I prefer to mount the camway on a bar 101 which is slidably held in position with reference to the frame by means of rollers 102 and which has a rack 103 fixed to its lower edge. The rack 103 normally meshes with a pinion 104 mounted on the shaft 55and hence, as the shaft 55 rotates, the bar 101 and the camway 97 will be moved horizontally inthe direction indicated by the arrow. (Fin: 1).

In starting the bending operation the bar 101 is shoved to the rear of the machine so that the roller 96 free from the camway. Y'Vhen the bar is in this position the frame 30 may be lowered'as hereinabove described in order to properly enter the plate 32. In

order to start the operation of the camway simultaneously with the gripping of the strip by the rollers, or at any other predetermined position cf'the strip, a bell 105 is operated by a lever 106 when the cam is to be set in opera.- tion. The lever 106 isvpivoted to an extension 107 of the member 81, and the upper end 108 of the lever normally rests against the plate and is so positioned that the outer end of the plate 32 will pass off from the end of the lever at the instant the cam 97 should begin to operate, usually at the instant that the rollers grip the inner end of the plate. hen not in operation the rack 103 is held out of mesh with the pinion 10st by means of the lever 112 which is pivoted to the frame, and in which the end of the shaft is journaled. lVhen the bell rings the operator forces the end 113 of the lever 112 downwardly thus throwing the pinion into mesh with the rack and the latch 111 holds the lever down in operating position until the latch is released by the operator.

I claim as my invention:

1. A bending machine comprising a pair of coacting rollers, one of said rollers having annular flanges projecting from its periphery, and the other of said rollers arranged to rotate between said flanges, means for rotating the rollers, coreless means for bending the end of the piece to be operated on to substantially the same shape as the space between the two rollers, means for forcing the strip between the rollers until its end is gripped by the rollers, and means for bending transversely various portions of the piece before they pass between the rollers.

2. In a bending machine a pair of rollers, annular flanges extending outwardly from one of said rollers, means for bending the piece longitudinally before it enters between the rollers, said latter means comprising means for forcing the piece with its forward end against the said flanges, a forming member positioned under the piece, and means for revolving said forming member and piece around an axis eccentric with said flanges so as to force said forming member and the end of said piece between said flanges.

3. Ina bending machine a pair of rollers, annular flanges extending outwardly from one of said rollers, means for bending the piece longitudinally before it enters between the rollers, said latter means comprising means for forcing the piece with its forward end against the said flanges, a forming member positioned under the piece, and means for revolving said forming member and piece around an axis eccentric with said flanges so as to force said forming member and the end of said iece between said flangesv and means for for ing said piece inwardly farther until it is gripped between said rollers 4. A. bending machine comprising apair of rollers, one of said rollers having annular flanges yrojecting a material distance from its periphery, the other roller arranged. to rotate between said flanges, a main frame for supporting said rollers, a second frame for supporting the piece to be bent, said second frame being pivotally connected to said main frame at a point between said two rollers, a nose piece supported by said second frame and projecting between said flanges, means for rotating said second frame downwardly on said pivot connection, means for clamping the piece to be bent with its end portion against said flanges and resting on said nose piece, and means for elGVZttlll? said second frame.

5. A bending machine comprising a pair of rollers, one of said rollers having annular flanges projecting a material distance from its periphery, the other roller arranged to 1 t between said flanges, a main frame for supporting said rollers, a second frame for supporting the piece to be bent, said second frame being p votally connected to said main frame at. a l between said two rollers, a nose p iecc 0 orted by said second frame and projecting between said flanges, means for rotating said second frame downwardly on said pivot connection, means for clamping the piece to be bent with its end portion against said flanges and resting on said nose piece, means for elevating said second frame and means for gripping said piece and forcing it farther between said flanges until it passes between and is gripped by said rollers. ii bending machine comprising a pair of rollers, one of said rollers having annular flanges projectin material distance from its periphery, the other roller arranged to rotate between said flanges, main frame for supporting said rollers, a second frame for supporting the piece to be bent, said second frame being pivotally connected to said main frame at a point between said two rollers, a nose piece supported by said second frame and projecting between said flanges, means for rotating said second frame downwardly on its pivot connection, means for clamping the piece to be bent with its end portion against said flanges and resting on said nose piece, means for elevating said second frame, means for gripping said piece and forcing it farther between said flanges until it passes between and is gripped by said rollers, and means for moving said second frame upwardly or downwardly as said piece is drawn between said rollers. V

7. A bending machine for bending thin elongated pieces comprising a supporting member, the upper edge of one end of which is for ned substantially as the said piece is to be bent, a member mounted over said supporting member and spaced therefrom, and a pair of bending flanges projecting downwardly from said second member over said supporting member and arranged to bend the sides of said piece downwardly over said supporting member as the piece is forced endwise between said members, and means for forcing said piece forwardly step by step between said members.

8. A bending machine for bending thin elongated pieces, comprising a supporting member, the upper edge of one end of which 3 is formed substantially as the said piece is to be bent, a member mounted over said supporting member and spaced therefrom, and a pair of bending flanges projecting downwardly from said second member over said supporting member and arranged to bend the sides of said piece downwardly over said supporting member as the piece is forced endwise between said members, and means for forcing said piece forwardly step by step between said members, a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in front of said members, a pair of flanges fixed to the ends of one of said rollers and passing over the, adjacent ends of said members and over the second roller, and means for forcing said piece between said flanges.

'9. A bending machine comprising a pair of rollers having coacting peripheries conformed to the shape to which it is desired to bend the piece, means for gripping the piece and forcing it between said rollers, said gripping means comprising clamps adapted to move freely with reference to said piece away from said rollers, and adapted to grip said piece and force it towards said rollers, other means for preventing backward move ment of said piece, and means for opening and closing said gripping clamps with reference to the edges of said piece.

10. A bending machine comprising a pair of rollers having coacting peripheries conformed to theshape to which it is desired to bend the piece, means for gripping the piece and forcing it between said rollers, said gripping means comprising clalmps'adapted to move freely with reference to said piece away from said rollers, and adapted to grip said piece and force it towards said rollers, other means for preventing backward movement of said piece, means for opening and closing said gripping clamps with reference to the edges of said piece, and means for adapting said clamps to non-parallel edges of pieces.

11. In a bending machine a pair of rollers, annular flanges extending outwardly from one of said rollers, means for bending-the piece longitudinally before it enters between the rollers; said latter means comprising means for forcing the piece with its forward end against the said flanges, a forming member positioned under the said end, and means for forcing said forming member and the end of said piece between said flanges.

12. A bending machine comprising a pair of rollers, one of said rollers having annular flanges projecting a material distance from its periphery, the other roller arranged to rotate between said flanges, a main frame for supporting, said rollers, a second frame for supporting the piece to be bent, said second frame being pivotally connected to said main frame at a point beneath the axis of said to non-parallel edges of pieces.

flanged roller, a nose piece supported by said second frame and projecting between said flanges, means for. revolving said second frame downwardly on said pivot connection, means for clamping the piece to be bent with its end portion between said flanges and said nose piece, and means for elevating said second frame.

13. A bending machine comprising a pair of rollers, one of said rollers naving annular flanges projecting a material distance from its. periphery,the other roller arranged to rotate between said flanges, a main frame for supporting said rollers, a second frame for supporting the piece to be bent, said second frame being pivotally connected to said main frame at a point between said two rollers, a nose piece supported by said second frame and projecting between said flanges, means for revolving said second frame down- Wardly on said pivot connection, means for clamping the piece to be bent with its end portion against said flanges and restingon said nose piece, means for moving said second frame upwardly or downwardly as said piece is drawn between said rollers, and means for forcing said piece towards said rollers until it passes between and is gripped by said rollers.

14. A bending machine for bendingthin elongated pieces comprising a forming member, the upper edge of one end of which is formed substantially as the said piece is to be bent, a second member mounted over said member and spaced therefrom, and a pair of bending flanges projecting downwardly from said second memberovcr said formin member and arranged to bend the sides of said piece downwardly over said forming member as the piece is forced endwise bet-ween said members, and a pair of rollers for pulling said piece between said members.

15. A bending machine for bending thin elongated pieces comprising a forming member, a second member mounted over said forming member and spaced therefrom, and a pair of bending flanges projecting clownwardly from said second member over said forming member and arrangedto bend the sides of said piece downwardly over said forming member as the piece is forced endwise between said members, means for forcing said piece forwardly between said members, a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in front of said members, and a pairof flanges fixed to one of said rollers and passing over the adjacent ends of said members and over the second roller. i

16. A bending machine comprising a pair of rollers having coacting peripheries conforming to the shape to which it is desired to bend the piece to be bent, means for gripping the piece and forcing it between said rollers, and means for adapting said gripping means vUU 17. In a bending machine a pair of rollers and means for forcing a plece to be bent between said rollers, said means comprising a clamping member having an elongated groove therein, and an elongated strip slidably mounted in said groove, and the opposing walls of said groove being inclined.

18. In a bending machine, gripping means comprising clamps adapted to move freely rearwardly with reference to a piece to be bent, but adapted to grip said piece when said clamps are moved forwardly, additional means for preventing said piece from moving rearwardly, and means for adapting said gripping means to pieces to be bent having non-parallel edges.

19. A machine for bending metal pieces, comprising non-rotatable means for bending the pieces somewhat longitudinally, rotatable means for bending the pieces more longitudinally after they are bent by said nonrotatable means, and means for bending said pieces transversely as said rotatable means are bending them longitudinally, said transverse bending means comprising means for varying the elevation of said non-rotatable means.

20. A machine for bending metal pieces, comprising non-rotatable means for bending the pieces somewhat longitudinally, ro tatable means for bending the pieces more longitudinally after they are bent by said non-rotatable means, and means for bending said pieces transversely as said rotatable means are bending them longitudinally, said transverse bending means comprising means for automatically rotating said non-rotatable means a limited amount about the axis of said rotatable means.

21. A method of bending strips longitudinally and transversely consisting in passing said strips through a pair of coacting rollers adapted to bend the strips longitudinally and at the same time in rotating portions of said strips before they pass between the rollers varying amounts around the axis of one of said rollers.

22. A method according to claim 21 and which consists also in rotating portions of said strips before they pass between the rollers a limited amount around the axis of the other roller.

23. A bending machine for bending thin elongated pieces, comprising a supporting member, the upper edge of one end of which is formed substantially as the said piece is to be bent, a member mounted over said supporting member and spaced therefrom, and a pair of bending flanges projecting downwardly from said second member over said supporting member and arranged to bend the sides of said piece downwardly over said supporting member as the piece is forced endwise between said members, and means for forcing said piece forwardly step by step between said members, a pair of rollers rotat ably mounted in front of said members a pair of flanges fixed to the ends of one of said rollers and passing over the adjacent ends of said members and over the second roller, means for forcing said piece between said flanges, said means comprising means for preventing backward movement of said piece, and means for gripping said piece to force it forwardly.

2a. A machine for bending metal pieces, comprising non-rotatable means for first bending the pieces somewhat longitudinally, rotatable means for finally bending the pieces longitudinally to the desired shape, and other means for coacting jointly with said nonrotatable and rotatable means for bending said pieces longitudinally further before they are finally bent by said rotatable means, said various means being adapted to coact to bend said pieces transversely as they are being bent finally by said rotatable means.

25. A machine as claimed in claim 2st, including means for automatically varying the amount of transverse bending as the pieces are being bent longitudinally.

26. A method of bending strips longitudinally and transversely consisting in passing said strips between a pair of rollers coacting to draw said strips forwardly and to bend them longitudinally, and in varying the elevation of portions of said strips as these portions approach the rollers but before they are bent longitudinally and before they pass through the rollers.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand.

OTTO SCHACHTEL. 

